This tequila sangria recipe is inspired by Frida Kahlo and some of the fruits in her still life paintings including: pineapple, melons, and oranges combined with a Spanish red wine and a splash of tequila. This easy sangria recipe is perfect for entertaining and versatile with your favorite fruits and wine.

melons carved like Frida still life paintings and two glasses and a pitcher filled with sangria      

Spanish red wine, orange liqueur, fresh orange juice, chunks of pineapple, honeydew, and watermelon, slices of limes and oranges, and a splash (or 3) of Exotico Reposado tequila make up this tequila sangria.

Being stuck at home has me daydreaming about my trip last year to Mexico City. One of the highlights of my trip was visiting La Casa Azul. The Frida Kahlo Museum was the birthplace and childhood home of the well-known Mexican artist. Check out my highlights on Instagram here.

The rooms and gardens are still in much the same state as Frida left them. Her personal items, furnishings, sketches, and paintings were all so inspiring.

Frida usually painted the fruits from her garden and local market as the subjects of her still life paintings. She would arrange the fruits on the table by her bedside.

Her painting, Viva la Vida, Sandias (Viva la Vida, Watermelons) hung in the museum and this painting Naturaleza Muerta con Bandera (Still Life with Flag) was on an easel in her art studio. Here is another one, La Novia Asustada al Ver la Vida Abierta (The Bride Frightened at Seeing Life Opened).

This sangria is quite strong (like Frida), so if you would like to make your sangria a bit lighter and fizzy, feel free to top your glass off with a light soda (such as Sprite or ginger ale) or sparkling water just before serving.

two glass and a pitcher filled with sangria and a carved watermelon inspired by Frida still life painting

What is Sangria?

Traditional sangria is made with red wine and chopped fruit, often with other ingredients or spirits. 

slices of limes and lemons in a wooden bowl and chopped fruit in small bowls

Customize it with different fruits

For this recipe, I used some fruits used in Frida’s fruit paintings – pineapple and melons – but you could use other fruits that are in season. Here are a few fruits that would go really well in this recipe:

  • apples
  • pears
  • mangos
  • papaya

What wine is best for red sangria?

My favorite wine for sangria is Garnacha or Tempranillo. They are both from Spain, so they are my top pick for authentic Spanish sangria. Choose an inexpensive wine (under $20) that you would enjoy on its own.

How to make the best Mexican Sangria with Tequila

This Mexican Sangria is made with tequila rather than traditional brandy for a Mexican twist on the classic Spanish drink.

exotic tequila bottle with melons and a pineapple on a wooden pedestal on a white doily and teal tablecloth outside

This sangria embodies everything magical about the storied Mexican portraiture artist, Frida Kahlo.

I selected premium Exotico Reposado tequila – it is mellow with hints of vanilla, cinnamon, caramel, dry fruits, and spices. One sip and I am reminded of one of Frida Kahlo’s famous quotes:

Español: “Doctor, si me deja tomar este tequila le prometo no beber en mi funeral.”

English: “Doctor, if you let me drink this tequila, I promise I won’t drink at my funeral.”

tequila infused sangria recipe in two glasses with a bottle of Exotico tequila in the background

How to make sangria

  1. Add chopped watermelon, honeydew, pineapple, and orange juice to a large pitcher. Stir to combine.
  2. Add red wine, tequila, and orange liqueur and stir all the ingredients together.
  3. Refrigerate sangria for 1 to 4 hours, or overnight, before serving.
  4. Serve sangria over a glass of ice. Top with light soda or sparkling water, if desired.

Serving freshly made sangria isn’t ideal. Give it at least one hour for the flavors and fruit to meld. 

Love Sangria? Try these recipes

Frida Sangria

5 (1 rating)
This tequila sangria recipe is inspired by Frida Kahlo and some of the fruits in her still life paintings including: pineapple, melons, and oranges combined with a Spanish red wine and a splash of tequila. This easy sangria recipe is perfect for entertaining and versatile with your favorite fruits and wine. 
Print Pin Rate
Yield: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 orange, sliced
  • 1 lime, sliced
  • 1 cup chopped watermelon
  • 1 cup chopped honeydew
  • 1 cup chopped pineapple
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1 bottle red wine, recommend Garnacha or Tempranillo
  • 1/2 cup Exotico Tequila Reposado
  • 1/2 cup orange liqueur 
  • Sparkling water or light soda, to serve (optional)

Instructions 

  • Add chopped watermelon, honeydew, pineapple, and orange juice to a large pitcher. Stir to combine.
  • Add red wine, tequila, and orange liqueur and stir all the ingredients together.
  • Refrigerate sangria for 1 to 4 hours, or overnight, before serving.
  • Serve sangria over a glass of ice. Top with light soda or sparkling water, if desired.

Notes

  • Try a sweetener. If the sangria is too strong for you, lighten sangria by adding a splash of sparkling water or light soda.
  • Make ahead. Make sangria a day ahead, so flavors can meld.
  • Select an affordable red wine. Choose a bottle you wouldn’t mind enjoying on its own. Wine is the base ingredient, after all, so let it shine.
  • How to store. Leftover sangria can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Calories: 201kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 10mg, Potassium: 285mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 13g, Vitamin A: 199IU, Vitamin C: 34mg, Calcium: 24mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Yvette Marquez

Photography by Jenna Sparks.

This post is in partnership with Exotico. As always, thank you for reading and for supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. All opinions are always my own.